Gulf performed preliminary engineering services for one of largest heated oil pipeline system in the world. Competitively selected by Exxon Company International in 1993, this work involved a thorough analysis of multiple scenarios for the design, construction and operation of the first major hydrocarbon export system in either of these two Central African countries.

The system selected at the conclusion of work in 1995 was a 30-inch diameter onshore pipeline, 1,041 kilometers in length, with four, 12,000 hp (nominal installed) pump stations (three with direct-fired crude oil heaters), one pressure reducing station, a 11 kilometer, 30-inch offshore pipeline, and a floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel. The design flowrate for the system was 250,000 BPD. Special challenges presented during the project consisted of such problems as the limited transportation systems in both countries, the monsoon-restricted construction season, optimum heating of the crude oil, environmental sensitivity of the tropical rain forests, lack of trained labor force in either country, and heavy crude burning engine availability.